My girlfriend and I had taken a sabbatical year and were enjoying the mellow life in the Dominican Republic. The caribbean scenery is very romantic with long white, sandy beaches with palm trees and tropical vegetation everywhere. However, even with no worries of work and stress, you get into some kind of everyday life pattern. I wanted to break out of this pattern for a little while by surprising my girlfriend with a some special adventure.

One day I was talking to a friend of ours, she mentioned that she was going horseback riding. The two hour trip would start later than normal as the moon was to become full the next night. The idea of riding on the beach into the sunset with the full moon rising was really appealing. My girlfriend spend her childhood in a stable caring for and riding horses and I tried riding about 3 times before, and with a gentle horse I can get along without falling off. I thought this would be an excellent break from 'everyday life'. I decided that I would make it a surprise for the next day. It would be a perfect surprise - satisfaction guaranteed.

I was thinking about this for the whole day. What could we do afterwards? Maybe take a quick shower and go out to a nice restaurant and have a candlelight dinner. I knew the perfect one, right on the beach, outdoor tables - still under the full moon - with the sound of the shore break whispering in our ears. The warm Caribbean breeze comforting our skin as we zip on a good Chilean wine. Hmm... Afterwards we could go to the planned full moon bonfire party on the beach.... Sit in the sand, hugging and watching the flames lick the burning wood and rise to the sky. This is going to be a night to remember... It was feeling a bit aroused and exited.